Applying by mail to stay in Canada

Shelby Thevenot
Published: July 7, 2020

Temporary residents in Canada seeking to extend their stay must apply electronically unless they are one of the exceptions.

Electronic applications became mandatory for most temporary residence applications on June 4, 2019. Applications need to be sent electronically if foreign nationals want to:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the federal immigration department, allows some exceptions to this rule.

Find out how to stay in Canada

Exceptional circumstances

In IRCC’s words, “exceptional circumstances beyond the control of foreign nationals, individuals or entities” can be grounds for sidestepping the online application requirement.

Applicants may fall under this exemption if they cannot submit applications electronically because of inadequate, or incompatible electronic infrastructure in their country.

Exceptional circumstances could also include a natural disaster, political turmoil, or another situation that limits their access to electronic communication.

Disability

People who are unable to apply electronically due to a disability are also exempt. Instead, they may apply by a paper application.

Systems restrictions

There are two online tools for Canadian immigration applications:

IRCC says these tools are inadequate for some applicants inside Canada, so these people are exempt from the mandatory online application.

Here are the forms that are exempt from the electronic application requirement for people applying from inside Canada:

If the foreign national has an authorized paid representatives with access to Canada’s APR portal, the representative is required to submit applications electronically on behalf of their client.

Find out how to stay in Canada

© 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Top Stories
Do you qualify as a work-permit-exempt business visitor?
Samsung SmartStarts Program Helps Newcomers Navigate Life in Canada
These are the new immigration pathways coming to Canada in 2025
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Canada
These are the new immigration pathways coming to Canada in 2025
A woman holds a Canadian flag while standing close to a picturesque waterbody
New findings: newcomer entry wage growth outstripped Canadian wage growth
A man holds his wallet filled with Canadian money, in what appears to be a shoe store.
What does an immigration representative do?
Immigration representatives can help you in a number of ways.
IRCC’s backlog shrinks for the first time in months
The Canadian flag against a bright blue sky
Link copied to clipboard